Strong little thing

After a lot of encouraging we finally got our tumbling everywhere little girl in gymnastics. She started at the beginning of summer and was so excited! She is going to the same gym that we took Sevea to. She started out in the little gym side. But it was clear to everyone that she was ready for a little bit more. From the moment she started gymnastics we heard all the time, “She’s so strong!” Her coach had her assessed and they invited her to join pre-team. This is an invitation only to get young kids on a path to join the team down the line if they so choose. So instead of once a week, she now goes two times a week and practices in the big gym with all the older kids.

She did amazing for the first 3 sessions on the big side of the gym. Then stranger anxiety settled in when she had a substitute on the 4th visit. Another little girl had her mom by her the whole time so I was forced to follow her around the gym otherwise she would run off crying. Usually about half way through the class she’d be having so much fun that she’d forget about needing me and I could go sit in the parent section. Right before school another session started and she was bumped up into the next level. So this of course brought another new instructor. She did NOT do well at all. Since school was back in session the gym was filled with kids and it was harder for me to be following her around. The teacher suggested I just hand her over and she’d calm down eventually. I am normally a fan of this approach as well but with Brynna that did not work…and I wasn’t surprised. She kicked and screamed and cried. The next time didn’t go any better. So the third time the teacher agreed for me to come along. She did better. Then the next time went a little better. Then I was able to sit further away. And in the end we are now able to stand where the parents sit. She still likes to see us but she is excited for gymnastics each time and separates much easier. It took a couple rewards like a slushie and a new leotard but that’s a small price to pay to see her happy doing what she loves.